How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've discovered one. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made the doctor will offer you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to choose
If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you may make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and have a family member present for assistance.
You should also consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website, which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful when you have family members or a friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over time.
It is not recommended to depend on read more getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.